Punam Krishan makes stance clear on NHS future amid backlash to BBC Strictly stint: 'Too busy for patients!'
Dr Punam Krishan is one of this year's contestants on BBC Strictly
BBC/INSTAGRAM
Dr Punam Krishan has spoken out about her future within the NHS ahead of her stint on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.
The GP has become a familiar face to BBC viewers in recent years thanks to her medical advice and appearances on the network's flagship mid-morning show, Morning Live.
Her work doesn't end there or in the GP's office either as she regularly reports on health news as a broadcaster on TV, radio, and in newspapers as well as writing her own children’s book.
Krishan was unveiled as the fifth contestant to take part in this year's Strictly in an announcement that she admitted "still doesn’t feel real".
"I am overjoyed to be a contestant on this year’s show," Krishan said of her stint. "I have watched Strictly every year with my family and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied now. This is so out of my comfort zone, but I’m up for the journey and will give it my absolute all."
Soon after she was unveiled as a celebrity participant several friends, colleagues, and famous faces rushed to congratulate the star and share their excitement - but a handful were irked that a practising GP had signed up.
Among the albeit overwhelming positive response to her unveiling, several Strictly fans were unimpressed, including one who argued: "Drs have all the time in the world now days don’t they."
"Another doctor going part time & not doing the job they trained for," a second hit out before a third critiqued: "Another celebrity doctor gagging for the limelight instead of doing the job they trained for."
Complaints of a similar ilk kept on coming from a fourth who commented: "Too busy trying to have a media career than actually seeing patients."
"Some of us work & don’t see DAYTIME tv. i have no idea who she is & if shes a dr how does that make her a celeb?" another questioned.
Dr Punam Krishan shot to fame on the BBC's Morning Live
BBC
But it appears those concerned about Krishan's ability to juggle working as a doctor as well as the demands of being a contestant on Strictly needn't worry.
The Morning Live star has assured fans - and patients - that she will not be leaving the NHS for Strictly, writing in an Instagram post: "When you’re surrounded by the best people, you can achieve anything.
"I’ve had some people ask me whether I’ll be leaving my NHS GP work to do strictly. Absolutely not. It will be a challenge to balance it but I’m so lucky to be supported by the most fantastic team and, as my practice manager put it, 'we will make it work!'
"I love my job. My patients and my duty of care towards them will always come first. However, I’m also someone who has passions, dreams and aspirations outside of my day job. Strictly is a proper dream come true for me.
"I’m a fan and my practice team are mega fans so they are fully behind me for which I’m so grateful. Today, after a long day at work and after the practice had closed, they stayed back to help me with some filming. They didn’t need to do that but they did.
"It’s hard to find people who would do that. So here’s a pic of my incredible Practice Manager, Janie, and my go to for every job in and out of work, John! The rest of the clan had left before I could get a pic. Properly lucked out with these guys! #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #teamnhs #nhsgp." (sic)
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Krishan was soon inundated once again with positive messages as several of her 51.1k followers expressed their excitement at Strictly's return.
A number of people even jumped to Krishan's defence in direct response to her critics on social media, with one hitting back: "Many people don't do the job they trained for, or don't have a job linked directly to what they studied. She's perfectly entitled to diversify her job and do things she loves/pursue new things."
And a second applauded: "Well I wasn’t familiar with the doctor either because I don’t watch daytime telly but now I’m following her Instagram because she seems lovely and she has lots of useful medical advice to give."
Krishan joins the likes of Chris McCausland, Toyah Wilcox, JB Gill, Wynne Evans, Shayne Ward, Pete Wicks, Tasha Ghouri, and Sarah Hadland in the confirmed line-up. More contestants will be announced in due course.